July Days

The July Days was a series of popular disturbances that occurred in the Russian capital of Petrograd (now known as St. Petersburg) from 16 to 20 July 1917. The disturbances were provoked by anarchist-influenced machine gunners of the Russian Army, who began demonstrations; the anarchists then called on workers and soldiers to take part in an anti-government demonstration. 500,000 people took part in the demonstrations, and the Bolsheviks - who had originally discouraged the people from rioting - would later support the protests. The government cracked down on the Bolsheviks and suppressed the disturbances, forcing Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin to go into exile in Finland. The Kornilov Affair later the year would lead to some imprisoned Bolshevik leaders such as Leon Trotsky being freed from prison by the government, a mistake that would lead to the October Revolution.